Ollie Robinson and Sonny Baker named in England squad for New Zealand Test

England have injected fresh blood into their Test squad in the aftermath of their Ashes drubbing, calling up uncapped trio Emilio Gay, James Rew and Sonny Baker as well has handing recalls to Ollie Robinson and Rehan Ahmed.

None of the five were involved in Australia, a tour that ended in a 4-1 defeat and widespread acceptance that there would need to be considerable on-field changes.

Although a selection panel that now includes Marcus North, whose move from director of cricket at Durham has been finalised, has lined up three prospective debutants for the series opener against New Zealand at Lord’s next month, the most intriguing move is the decision to hand an olive branch to Sussex seamer Robinson.

The 32-year-old has outstanding Test numbers, taking 76 wickets at 22.92 in just 20 appearances, but has not been seen since February 2024. There had been concerns over his physical durability, his ability to maintain speed over the course of a match and his relationship with the team’s leadership.

Problem

He has been lobbying hard for a second chance and a solid start to the county season has earned him the opportunity to restate his case as the team’s premier new-ball specialist.

It is a role they have not adequately filled since the staggered retirements of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes and was a glaring problem in Australia.

Durham batter Gay is well known to North and captain Ben Stokes but made a watertight case for inclusion in place of the axed Zak Crawley, whose long but inconsistent reign at the top of the order is over.

Gay impressed England in Australia as part of the Lions squad and has fired his county to the top of Division Two with three centuries, 522 runs and a towering average of 92.

He has been batting at number three but has plenty of first-class experience as an opener.

Rew faltered when given the chance to audition against the new ball for Somerset last week, but has been prolific further down and looks set to slot in as a spare batting option and wicketkeeping back-up to Jamie Smith.

England’s Ollie Robinson is back in the Test squad
(Mike Egerton/PA)

Absence

Hampshire prospect Baker, meanwhile, looks to have benefitted from the absence of Jofra Archer and the injured Brydon Carse. Archer is currently performing well for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League but his previous fitness problems mean he will not be rushed back into red-ball action and could instead work towards the second Test at the Kia Oval.

Baker, 23, has plenty of pace and has impressed management with his attitude despite painfully expensive debuts in both white-ball formats. He comes in ahead of Matthew Potts, who is rebuilding at Durham after a disappointing outing in Sydney at the end of the Ashes. Matthew Fisher of Surrey was overlooked for that game after joining up as injury cover and retains his place in the fast bowling ranks.

Surplus

Leg-spinning all-rounder Ahmed, who became England’s youngest men’s Test cricketer in Pakistan in 2022, features as he comes into the frame for a first cap on home soil. He joins Shoaib Bashir, unused throughout the Ashes as he slipped behind the occasional off-spinner Will Jacks in the pecking order.

Jacks ended up playing four Tests but is now surplus to requirements, alongside former vice-captain Ollie Pope.

“We’ve selected a squad that we believe has a really exciting blend of proven international quality, strong county form and players with huge potential to develop at Test level,” said managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key.

“Emilio, James and Sonny have all earned their opportunities through consistent performances and have impressed us not only with their talent, but with the way they’ve gone about their cricket in high-pressure situations.

“It’s also great to welcome back players like Rehan, Matt and Ollie, who all bring different qualities and experience to the group. Competition for places remains incredibly strong and that’s exactly where we want to be as a Test team.”

England squad for first Rothesay Test against New Zealand: B Stokes (c), R Ahmed, G Atkinson, S Baker, S Bashir, J Bethell, H Brook (vc), B Duckett, M Fisher, E Gay, J Rew, O Robinson, J Root, J Smith (wkt), J Tongue.

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